My name Is Mark Wilkinson and I have ben employed by Humankind for 3 months, I was unemployed for 6 months prior to starting with Humankind, I worked In the field of Environmental Health for 30 years, In those years I had enforcement responsibilities for food safety/food hygiene, health and safety, domestic noise nuisance, anti social behaviour, animal health and welfare and licensing of animal activities.  I was referred from South Tyneside Adult Recovery Service which I was with for approximately one year, I was with the IPS service for approximately one year.

I was with STARS for an addiction to Illegal and legal drugs, I was smoking approx 2 ounces of cannabis a week which I have smoked on and off for 30 years and taking prescription gabapentin not as my Dr had prescribed which I had been abusing for the past 10 years.  As I was finishing of my relapse prevention, my Recovery Coach, knowing I finished with the employer I had for around 30 years, asked If I would like help with gaining new employment, which I readily accepted as I knew that one of the dangers of the triggers for me relapsing would be not being In fulltime employment, I have not been out of work since leaving school and managed to keep hold of my job throughout my journey through my addictions which also Included alcohol as well as drugs but I had stopped drinking through going to AA a year before I decided It was time to stop taking drugs. 

During my last sessions with my Recovery Coach, I was introduced to my IPS worker, who filled In a number of forms which went through my work history and what It Is I wanted to do.  It wasn’t like I can get you a job I specifically asked what motivated me, what sort of employer I would like, and what hours I wanted to work, and they really took their time listening to me, and I felt empowered to make my own choice In what my future may hold for me.  I was also told I would be guided through writing a CV, which I had not had to do for around 20 years, and I would receive help In filling out application forms and Interview preparations.  This again made me feel empowered to explore areas of employment where I felt I could make a difference. 

I have always wanted to work In the field of addictions to give something back.  Due to a number of Issues, not least my fragile mental state towards the end of my time In addiction, I always feared leaving the job I had, which provided me the means to stay In active addiction.

Once I started to become sober, I found the strength to confront my demons and start the process of making lifestyle and career-changing decisions. My coach helped me In the first Instance to put together a meaningful CV and helped me to find websites where I could look at jobs In the field of addiction. I was encouraged to start to apply for jobs in an area where I have a vast amount of lived experience, which is what a lot of employers in this field are looking for.  Again I had not filled out an application form In over 20 years but my worker helped me where I struggled and I felt the support that I received was second to none and tailored to what best suited my skills.  Once I started to send the application forms In my worker still worked with me on a weekly basis and was very encouraging whenever I became despondent due to not hearing back. 

After a while, the Interviews started to roll In, and again, my worker was there with the right amount of encouragement and started to prepare me for the Interview process. 

Again, having not had an Interview for over 20 years, I felt that my chances were going to be less than average, but they were always there encouraging me.

I also had not had an Interview over Teams or Zoom, which was again daunting, but I was prepared for that as well.  I had a number of Interviews with different charities In different areas of addiction but always seemed to be pipped to the post which was somewhat deflating but again my IPS worker was there encouraging me to carry on which I did.  I was then Interviewed for an IPS role with the charity Humankind, which I did not get, but I must have shown enough In the Interview to be offered a job with Humankind in the Works 4 U program, which I accepted.  My Coach was still seeing me on a weekly basis and helped me navigate around the forms I needed to fill In with Humankind prior to starting my new role always encouraging and never letting me doubt myself. 

Once I was In my new role my coach stayed with me and we met on a regular basis for the first couple of months to give me the support I needed and help me when again I might start doubting myself.  I can not thank Humankind and my IPS coach enough, I was treated with respect form my first contact, I was given all the support and encouragement when I was either doubting myself or doubting my ability to gain employment In my chosen field, once I was offered a job I was supported through the preliminary phases and once In post I was supported on a weekly basis by my IPS coach until the point where we both felt I did not need the support any more.  I am now working I a job I love and a job where I feel I can make a difference and a role I am now helping people who were In the same place I was over a year ago. 

I have come the full circle from starting my addiction recovery with Humankind to now being and employed and working for them.  I would recommend the IPS scheme to anyone who needs It and wouldn’t be In the position I am In today where once again I am making a worthwhile contribution to both my family and the labour market.